Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Gameday: Rebels vs. Border Bruins

The Rebels and Border Bruins tangle for the seventh time this season in the first Rebels home game since December 29th.

It's back to work for Castlegar, who last played ten days ago in Invermere, and after a long layoff to heal illness and wounds, the Rebels will (hopefully) be replenished and revitalized for the stretch run.

As it stands, Castlegar sits 6 points back of Fernie for the Kootenay Conference lead, but have three games in hand and hold the tie-breaker having won the season series.

No question who the leader is in the Rebels/Border Bruins season series, however. Castlegar has won all 6 meetings, although several have been much closer than anyone on this side of the Paulson would like.

Last Meeting: Castlegar visited Grand Forks on January 4th. Two third-period goals by Taylor Anderson and Kwinn Mazzilli sealed the deal in a 3-1 Rebel victory.

Our Opponent: Grand Forks (7-31-0-1) will have to spend the rest of the season playing spoiler. They've been officially eliminated from the playoffs, sitting 24 points behind Spokane. All-Star Zac Thompson leads the Border Bruin attack with 26 goals, though no other Grand Forks player has more than 13. Derek Grimm leads a defensive corps that is now without 19 year-old Lucas Hildebrand (who was shipped to Revelstoke at the deadline). Grimm though, didn't skate in Grand Forks' last game, Wednesday night in Nelson. Goaltender Ryan Ryman was terrific the last time the Rebels took on Grand Forks.

Broadcast Info: Join us for the webcast from the Complex beginning at 7:30.

In the Press Box: We'll have to wait and see whether Darren Tarasoff, Ryan Reid, Curtis Pereverzoff and Arthur Andrews make their returns tonight. They all missed last weekend's East Kootenay swing. Grand Forks is likely still without forward Mike Brewer, who was injured in a loss at Kimberley earlier this month.

Out of Town: Only one other game on the KIJHL schedule tonight. Golden and Kimberley, both jockeying for position to see who won't face Fernie in the first round of the playoffs, tangle at the Golden Arena tonight. The Rockets have a 6-point edge on the Dynamiters for third in the Eddie Mountain division.